^CHRO'-^j v
DISPENSARIES, HOSPITALS, AND MEDICAL SOCIETIES OF
KINGS COUNTY, 1830-1860.
BY WILLIAM SCHROEDER, M. D.
The town of Brooklyn in 1830 had a population of 15,295.
Four years thereafter it was incorporated as a city. The Medical
Society of the County of Kings in 1830 had nineteen members
upon its roll, and the town directory of that year indicates that
there were about ten physicians engaged in the practice of medi-
cine who were not connected with the Medical Society.
On the 8th day of February, 1830, the first Dispensary in
Brooklyn was organized at 168 Fulton street, under the name of
THE BROOKLYN DISPENSARY.
In 1833 the Dispensary removed to the corner of Jay and
Sands streets, and must have been discontinued about this time.
The attending physicians were : Drs. J. Sullivan Thorne and
W. A. Clark. Consulting physician, Matthew Wendell.
CITY HOSPITAL, 183Q-184O.
Under this name, and about the time above indicated, this
hospital was organized, being located on Adams street near
Johnson. Its staff at that time included :
Theodore F. King, M.D., President 1840-184 2.
John Sullivan Thorne, M.D., Secretary.
Attending physicians :
Purcell Cook, M.D.
George Marvin, M.D.
Samuel Boyd, M.D.
Theodore L. Mason, M.D., was President from 1842 to 1844,
and was succeeded by John Sullivan Thorne, M.D., as President
from 1844 to 1845.
The attending physicians at this time were :
George Ball, M. D.
Theo. F. King, M.D.
A. N. Garrison, M.D.
This hospital was incorporated May 8th, 1845, under the
name of
BROOKLYN CITY HOSPITAL.
It was then removed to Hudson street near Lafayette avenue.
The attending physicians at this time were :
FLen r.y-L-Cullen,..MJD,______
| LIBRARY
____________________________i_______________________________________________________________________
124
HISTORICAL DEPARTMENT.
Lucius Hyde, M.D.
Purcell Cook, M. D.
C. L. Mitchell, M.D.
Christ R. McClellan, M. D.
Attending surgeons :
Theo. L. Mason, M.D.
W. G. Hunt, M.D.
F. W. Hurd, M.D.
Daniel Ayres, M.D.
In 1850 the hospital removed to Hudson avenue, then "Jack-
son street," near Lafayette avenue.
Attending physicians :
Henry J. Cullen, M.D.
James Crane, Jr., M.D.
J. Sullivan Thorne, M.D.
John W. Corson, M.D. *
Attending surgeons :
William G. Hunt, M.D.
Daniel Ayres, M.D.
John Cochran, M. D.
James M. Minor, M.D.
1854-'55. At this time we find the hospital at Raymond
street near DeKalb avenue, where it is situated at the present
time.
Attending physicians :
H. S. Smith. M.D.
James Crane, Jr., M.D.
D. S. Landon, M D.
J. Sullivan Thorne, M. D.
Henry J. Cullen, M.D.
Attending surgeons :
DeWitt C. Enos, M. D.
D. E. Kissam, M.D.
John Cochran, M.D.
James M. Minor, M.D.
1857-58. Visiting surgeons :
DeWitt C. Enos, M.D.
Daniel E. Kissam, M.D.
James M. Minor, M.D.
Joseph C. Hutchison, M.D.
Visiting physicians :
James Crane, M.D.
HISTORICAL DEPARTMENT. 125
Dillon S. Landon, M.D.
Horatio S. Smith, M. D.
E. Krackowizer, M.D.
i860. Visiting surgeons :
James M. Minor, M.D.
DeWitt C. Enos, M.D.
Daniel E. Kissam, M.D.
Joseph C. Hutchison, M. D.
George Cochran, M.D.
Visiting physicians :
James Crane, M.D.
D. S. Landon, M.D.
H. S. Smith, M.D.
A. Nelson Bell, M. D.
Chas. J. Seymour, M.D.
The hospital is still in existence at Raymond street and De-
Kalb avenue.
BROOKLYN DISPENSARY ORGANIZED 1846.
Jackson House, Hudson street, near Lafayette avenue.
Attending physicians :
J. D. Trask, M.D.
Bradley Parker, M. D.
C. L. Mitchell, M.D.
James Crane, Jr., M.D.
J. H. Henry, M.D.
Lucius Hyde, M.D.
L. K. Brown, M.D.
District physicians :
J. D. Ladd, M.D.
E. N. Chapman, M.D.
W. Blackwood, M.D.
T. A. Wade, M.D.
A. V. Lesley, M.D.
Wm. Swift, M.D.
1849. Daniel Brooks, M.D.
H. S. Smith, M.D.
D. E. Kissam, M.D.
Dr. Beers.
1851-52. Removed to the basement of the City Hall, but were
unable to remain there any length of time, as it was understood
that the city officials were afraid of contagious disease. The
126 HISTORICAL DEPARTMENT.
officers secured the back room of Bailey's drug store at 269 Wash-
ington street.
Attending physicians and surgeons :
John D. Ladd, M.D.
William H. Gardner, M. D.
D. E. Kissam, M.D.
A. Otterson, M.D.
J. C. Hutchison, M.D.
1855. At this time we find the dispensary located at 107 or
109 Pineapple street.
Attending physicians and surgeons :
James Hebbern, M.D.
J. H. Catlin, M.D.
J. Blackmore, M.D.
John Ball, M.D.
E. A. Whaley, M.D.
Alex. Little, M.D.
Jos. B. Jones, M.D.
Consulting physicians and Surgeons :
H. S. Smith, M.D.
D. E. Kissam, M.D.
L. C. McPhail, M.D.
1858. About this time the name was changed to that of
Brooklyn Dispensary and Eye and Ear Infirmary. Its staff at
this time consisted of the following :
John Ball, M.D., President.
Jos. B. Jones, M.D., General Surgery.
John T. Conkling, M.D., Diseases of Females.
John A. Brodie, M.D., Children, Skin and Vaccination.
William Law, M.D., Heart, Throat and Lungs.
William Otterson, M.D., Head and Digestive Organs.
R. M. Deering, Apothecary and Dentist.
i860. Attending surgeons :
Jos. B. Jones, M.D.
W. F. Swalm, M.D.
Attending physicians :
John Ball, M.D.
William Law, M.D.
Robert Ormiston, M.D.
The dispensary is still in existence at No. 11 Tillary street.
KINGS COUNTY HOSPITAL.
The early history of this institution appears to be intimately
HISTORICAL DEPARTMENT.
127
connected with the Brooklyn Almshouse. On April 9, 1832, the
poorhouse at Flatbush was opened, and John B. Zabriskie, M.D.
was appointed as physician, at a salary of $70 per year. In 1834
Dr. J. B. Zabnskie was re-appointed as physician. In 1838 the
County Hospital and Lunatic Asylum were opened.
On February 8, 1848, Dr. J. B. Zabriskie died. He appears
to have been the only physician connected with the above insti-
tution up to this date.
On March 5, 1848, F. M. Ingraham, M.D., and Philip O.
Hyatt, M.D., were appointed in place of Dr. Zabriskie.
March 30, 1849, the hospital at the Penitentiary was opened
and T. Anderson Wade, M.D., was appointed physician. Dr.
Wade agreed to treat all prisoners and furnish the necessary
medicine for $12 per month, which was accepted. Dr. Wade's
salary was fixed in 1852 at $250 per annum. Dr. J. L. Zabriskie
was appointed physician at the Penitentiary in 1859.
In 1854 it became known to the Board of Superintendents
that a bill was pending before the Legislature directing that
bodies of persons who may die in the poorhouse be delived to
medical schools for the purpose of dissection.
The bill was denounced as a monstrous outrage, its provisions
being declared barbarous.
In 1854 Dr. Thomas Turner was physician to the hospital,
and Dr. J. A. Blanchard physician to the Lunatic Asylum. Dr.
Blanchard was Superintendent from 1875 t° 1877.
In 1856 Dr. Robert B. Baiseley was resident physician of the
Lunatic Asylum.
1857 Edwin R. Chapin, M.D. was elected resident physician
of the County Hospital.
In 1859 Dr. E. R. Chapin became physician to the Lunatic
Asylum, which position he resigned in 1871.
Dr. Thomas Turner died in 1865, and his successor was Dr.
R. Cresson Stiles, who resigned in 1866. Dr. Stiles was followed
by Dr. Teunis Schenck.
WILLIAMSBURGH DISPENSARY.
Organized January, 1851. Opened September i, 1851.
Located at the corner of Fifth and South First streets.
The first President was Samuel Groves.
The attending physicians were :
John A. Brady, M.D.
Nelson L. North, M.D.
Chas. Holzhauer, M. D.
128 HISTORICAL DEPARTMENT.
Consulting physicians :
Sidney Wade, M.D.
Orson H. Smith, M.D.
Consulting surgeons :
A. J. Berry, M.D.
F. M. Lovett, M.D.
Visiting physicians :
L. N. Palmer, M.D.
C. H. Schapps, M.D.
J. J. Bagley, M.D.
This dispensary is still in existence under the name of the
Brooklyn (E. D.) Dispensary and Hospital.
BROOKLYN GERMAN GENERAL DISPENSARY.
From 1857 to 1858, at 145 Court street.
Consulting physicians :
Edward Macbert, M.D.
Gustav Braeunlich, M.D.
Consulting surgeons :
Louis Bauer, M.D.
William Arming, M.D.
Resident physician :
Hermann Zundt, M.D.
Mr. Hermann, Cupper and Leecher.
BROOKLYN CENTRAL DISPENSARY.
This dispensary was opened to the public in 1855. It was
located at 173 Fulton street.
The first President was J. Sullivan Thorne, M. D.
Attending physicians and surgeons :
J. H. H. Burge.
Nelson S. Drake.
William H. Van Duyne.
Arnold Hallett.
Thomas H. Green.
T. H. Catlin.
Consulting surgeons :
James M. Minor, M.D.
C. E. Isaacs, M.D.
Consulting physicians :
James H. Hewey, M.D.
Jos. C. Hutchison, M.D.
In 1858 this dispensary was located at 5 Flatbush avenue.
HIS TO RICA L DEPA R TMENT.
129
From that time to i860 there seems to have been a number of
changes among the physicians. In i860 we find them to be as
follows :
J. H. H. Burge, M.D.
John Hill, M.D.
S. C. Gregg, M.D.
W. H. Gardner, M.D.
J. Wilson, M.D.
This dispensary is at present situated at No. 29 Third avenue.
THE LONG ISLAND COLLEGE HOSPITAL.
This college and hospital will undoubtedly, in the near future,
assume a position among medical colleges second to none in this
country. The additions to its curriculum ; the increasing num-
ber of students ; and the growing interest in the welfare of the
institution which is exhibited by our citizens, all indicate that the
Long Island College Hospital has before it a career of unlimited
usefulness. The present outlook causes us to believe that the
brightest pages in its history are yet to be written. The writer
can scarcely believe the testimony of his own senses as he notes
the advances made by this institution during the short time he
has been in active practice. While congratulating ourselves upon
the splendid prospects the future appears to have in store for the
Long Island College Hospital, let us glance backward and note a
few facts in the inception and early history of this institution.
During the year 1857 a number of German physicians in
general practice in the sixth and tenth wards of the city of
Brooklyn, organized what was known as the Brooklyn German
General Dispensary. This dispensary was situated at 145 or 147
Court street, between Pacific street and Atlantic avenue. Promi-
nently connected with this dispensary were the following doctors:
Gustav Braeunlech, residing at 285 Henry street.
Carl Aug. Louis Bauer, residing at 167 Court street.
William Arming, residing at 75 Court street.
Edward Maebert, residing at 109 Union street.
Herman Zundt, residing at 42 Dean street.
The intention of these gentlemen was to organize a large
German hospital, as at this time the population of the sixth ward
consisted largely of Germans. Nothing definite came of this
idea, for we find that shortly afterward they joined with Drs.
John Byrne of 202 Clinton street, Daniel Ayres of 156 Montague
street, and William H. Dudley of 201 Henry street, in the organi-
zation of what was then known as the St. John's Hospital. On
130 HISTORICAL DEPARTMENT.
November 5. 1857, this hospital occupied the premises at 145 or
147 Court street, where it remained until the spring of 1858.
The "Perry Mansion'* on Henry street being for sale, sub-
scriptions were solicited from the citizens of Brooklyn for the
purpose of purchasing this property. The effort proving success-
ful and the property having been purchased, application was
made to the Legislature for a charter, which was granted in 1858.
Drs. Braeunlich and Bauer deserve special mention for the
interest manifested by them in the institution and for the work
which they accomplished at this time.
The reason for the change of name from St, Johns Hospital
to that of the Long Island College Hospital is unknown to the
writer, but it was under the latter name that the institution re-
ceived its charter and opened the hospital in the spring of 1858,
on the site where it now stands, and where we hope it may
stand for ages to come. The following is taken from the
Brooklyn City Directory of 1858-59:
LONG ISLAND COLLEGE HOSPITAL OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN.
Henry street between Pacific and Amity.
Board of Regents :
Hon. Samuel Sloan, President.
Samuel W. Slocum, Esq., Vice-president.
C. Nestell Bovee, Esq., Secretary.
Cornelius Dever, Esq., Treasurer.
Hon. Samuel Sloan.
Samuel W. Slocum.
Henry Messenger.
C. N. Bovee.
L. K. Miller.
Jaques Cortelyou.
A. B. Baylis.
R. L. Delisser.
Cornelius Dever.
Daniel Chauncey.
J. T. Moore.
Geo. F. Thomas.
Joseph Hegeman.
J. S. Brownson.
N. E. James.
Theodore Polhemus.
Charles Christmas.
Nicholas Luqueer.
HISTORICAL DEPARTMENT. 131
Eugene O'Sullivan.
Harold Dollner.
Henry F. Vail.
R. H. Berdell.
L. B. Wyman.
J. J. Van Nostrand.
Samuel Smith.
Members of the council :
Theo. L. Mason, M.D.
C. L. Mitchell, M.D.
William H. Dudley, M.D.
J. H. Henry, M.D.
Physicians :
John Byrne, M.D.
E. N. Chapman, M.D.
Gustav Braeunlich, M.D.
Surgeons:
Daniel Ayres, M.D.
Louis Bauer, M.D.
Adjunct physicians :
R. S, Olmstead, M.D.
G. D. Ayres, M.D.
W. H. Davol, M.D.
Adjunct surgeons :
E. A. Whaley, M.D.
D. A. Dodge, M.D.
J. G. Johnson, M.D.
Apothecary :
E. S. Fougera.
MEDICAL SOCIETIES.
The first medical society—independent of the Medical Society
of the County of Kings—was organized in 1852, and was known
as the Medical Association of the Eastern District.
Among the physicians who were connected with this society
we find the following :
C. H. Schapps, M.D., who was President in 1852-55.
Ernest Krackowizer, M.D.
C. Macfarlan, M.D.
Jos. Creamer, M.D.
James S. Hawley, M.D.
Carl Wittman, M. D.
Geo. W. Baker, M.D.
132
HISTORICAL DEPARTMENT.
John Walsh. M.D.
J. J. Acheson, M.D.
Nelson L. North, Sr., M.D.
E. N. Colt, Jr., M.D.
This society continued until 1882, when it went out of exist-
ence.
On February 5, 1863, the Medical Association of the Eastern
District of Brooklyn was organized.
MEDICAL CHIRURGICAL SOCIETY.
Instituted at Brooklyn in 1857.
Active among its membership were the following well-known
physicians :
Andrew Otterson, M.D., President from 1857 to 1859.
John Ball, M.D.
Joseph B. Jones, M.D., President in i860.
E. N. Chapman, M.D.
Daniel A. Dodge, M. D.
J. H. H. Burge, M.D., President from 1864 to 1865.
Daniel Ayres, M.D.. President from 1861 to 1863.
J. C. Halsey, M.D.
Jos. E. Clark, M.D.
Henry J. Cullen, M.D., President in 1866.
William Law, Jr., M.D.
A. N. Bell, M.D.
John Byrne, M.D.
W. E. Mulhallon, M.D.
James Crane, Jr.
U. Palmedo.
Geo. I. Bennet.
A. Moore.
J. P. Colgan, Sr.
Charles C. Isaacs.
J. P. Colgan, Jr.
William Otterson.
G. D. Ayres.
W. Mills.
Thomas P. Morris.
H. C. Simms.
DeWitt C. Enos.
This society was discontinued in 1866.
BROOKLYN MEDICAL SOCIETY--1856-1857.
This society met at the Brooklyn Institute on Washington
HIS TO RICA L DEPA R TMENT.
133
street, but very little is known regarding it. The physicians con-
nected with it were :
Andrew Otterson, M.D., President from 1856 to 1857.
John Ball, M.D.
A. N. Bell, M.D.
Jos. E. Clark, M.D.
Jos. B. Jones. M.D.
John Byrne, M.D.
On August 21, 1846, a special meeting of the Medical Society
County of Kings, was called to consider the propriety of estab-
lishing a Dispensary in the city of Brooklyn. This call was
signed by the following members :
Drs. Robert McMillan.
John F. Morse.
J. C. Halsey.
Sam. J. Osborn.
William Swift.
David F. Atwater.
T. A. Wade.
Purcell Cooke.
J. M. Moriarty.
A. Otterson.
Wm. C. Betts.
Daniel Ayres.
F. W. Hurd.
Geo. I. Bennet.
A. Van Pelt.
The committee appointed at this meeting reported on Septem-
ber 14 1846, that the matter had been presented to the trustees
of the Brooklyn City Hospital, and that a committee had been
appointed by them to consider the subject.
Committee from the medical society :
Drs. Sam. J. Osborn,
Henry J. Cullen.
John F. Morse.
Jno. L. Thorne.
Theo. L, Mason.
NEW BOOKS AND BOOK NOTICES.
All books received by the Journal are deposited permanently in the Library of the
Medical Society of the County of Kings.
An American Text-Book of Obstetrics ,for Practitioners and
Students. Richard C. Norris, M.D., Editor; Robert L. Dick-
inson, M.D., Art Editor. With nearly 900 colored and
half-tone illustrations. Pp. 1-1009. Philadelphia : W. B.
Saunders, 1895.
The preface to this admirable volume explicitly states that it is intended
to serve as a "standard teaching-work for students, and a guide to practi-
tioners." From this point of view it is perhaps right that a reviewer should
be chosen who does incidental obstetrics in the course of a purely medical
practice, and who can therefore better judge of its merits as a book for study
and reference than one who is a specialist in this line.
This volume contains about one thousand pages. It is the product of
fifteen obstetricians, representing the teaching centers of New York, Brook-
lyn, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Chicago, St. Louis, Boston, and
Montreal.
The arrangement and classification are excellent, beginning with a very
clear and complete description of the anatomy of the generative organs by
G. A. Piersol, who, with C. D. Palmer, deals also with the physiology and
diagnosis of pregnancy. The pathology of pregnancy receives attention from
such accomplished writers as E. P. Davis, H. A. Kelly, J. H. Etheridge, and
the late C. W. Earle. The phenomena and clinical course of normal labor is
handled by R. L. Dickinson, and the conduct of normal labor by C. Jewett.
The mechanism of labor, and the management of the various positions and
presentations receives a complete exposition by E. Reynolds. Dystocia, from
maternal and foetal deformities, beautifully illustrated, is dealt with by B. C.
Hirst, who is an authority on this subject, while to T. Parvin and H. Schwartz
is committed the subject of dystocia from accidents, diseases and haemor-
rhages. Jewett is again welcomed in describing the physiology, diagnosis and
management of the puerperium, while its pathology has been, very properly,
reserved by the editor, R. C. Norris, with the exception of a section upon
puerperal infection by H. J. Garrigues, whose work in this line has been of
great importance. The portions dealing with the physiology and pathology
of the infant have been well and fully written by Earle and Etheridge.
Under the head of obstetric surgery, instrumental operations are handled
by J. C. Cameron, with the exception of symphyseotomy by Jewett; manual
operations (versions) by Dickinson, and cceliotomy by Hirst.
Space is manifestly inadequate for a detailed review, which would be
desirable, but certain general points are well worthy of notice. The first
thing which strikes the purchaser is the abundance and beauty, as well as the
great usefulness of the illustrations. Quite evidently they represent an
enormous amount of work, and rare artistic ability, backed up by accurate